Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump as much blood as the body requires. This ineffective pumping can lead to enlargement of the heart as the myocardium works harder pump the same amount of blood. Heart failure may be caused by defects in the myocardium, such as an a heart attack infarct, or due to structural issues such as severe heart valve regurgitation. Heart failure can be divided into HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The disease is further divided into four New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes. Stage IV heart failure is when the heart is completely failing and requires a heart transplant or hemodynamic support from a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

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Hookah is just as dangerous as cigarettes, so why do so many people smoke it?

The number of people smoking hookah has nearly doubled, a finding concerning to health professionals since the habit has dangerous repercussions similar to smoking cigarettes, according to a new study.

Prescription-strength ibuprofen linked to heart failure

New research shows that prescription-strength ibuprofen, naproxen and other pain relievers could contribute to a higher risk for heart failure for some individuals, reports CBS News.

DOD awards $10 million grant for cardiac cell therapy trial to fight heart failure

The Department of Defense (DOD) awarded a $10 million grant to researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute for a cardiac cell therapy trial for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Using ICDs in patients with LVADs may lower mortality rates in advanced heart failure patients

A systematic review and meta-analysis of six observational studies found that the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) was associated with a 39 percent relative reduction in mortality among advanced heart failure patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).

More issues arise with the HeartWare HVAD system

The FDA classified two recalls of the HeartWare ventricular assist device (HVAD) system as class I recalls.

Rachel Marcus, MD, MedStar, says there is a lot of concern about the long term cardiac outcomes with Chagas disease infection.

Chagas parasitic heart disease threat creeps into U.S.

Chagas heart disease is common in Latin America. Now, given the growing immigrant population, U.S. physicians need to know how to recognize and treat it. 

UCLA researchers find molecule that could delay, prevent heart failure

A study, published this month in the journal Nature Medicine, tested the effects of a molecule called chaer on animals. Results showed that blocking the molecule prevented them from developing heart failure.

Irregular heartbeat increases risk for other serious cardiac conditions

New research published in the BMJ suggests that an irregular heartbeat is linked to other serious conditions, some that can be fatal.

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